The Winnipeg Police Service has kicked off its 2018 Festive Season Checkstop program by unveiling its new screening device for drug-impairment. 

Police say the Dräger Drug Test 5000 is a new piece of equipment they will be using to test for recent drug use, and will be specifically targeting marijuana and cocaine. 

WPS impaired driving and countermeasures coordinator, Const. Stephane Fontaine, says the device is a saliva swab that will give officers a definitive way to tell whether or not someone who recently did drugs decided to get behind the wheel and drive. 

"Only in the scenario in which an officer has reasonable suspicious to believe Cannabis or Cocaine is in a person's system will they use it," Fontaine said. "Keep in mind, if the person is showing gross signs of impairment, this device will not be used and the officers will go straight to an impaired driving arrest and will proceed as they always have." 

Fontaine says the test is comparable to a breathalyzer as far as when officers will deploy it. 

"They're going to use it when they suspect there has been recent consumption of marijuana or cocaine but are unable to form the grounds they need to arrest for impaired driving," he said. "This is a tool that will help them either eliminate the need for an arrest or confirm their suspicions." 

Fontaine says the WPS has seven new Dräger machines, with each one costing approximately $5,000. He adds they will be present and ready to use at check stops this year, and training for officers on how to use them has already begun. 

Police say as per usual, there will be an increased police presence this time of year with officers cracking down on both drug and alcohol-impaired driving. 

The 2018 Festive Season Checkstop program starts Dec. 1 and runs until the New Year.